Bicycle-saddle



(No Model.)

0. A. TOMPKINS. BICYCLE SADDLE.

Patented June 22, 1897.

m: cams PETERS cc, wovouwo. w sHmGION, o. c.

'ORRIN A. TOMPKINS, OF RANDOLPH, NEXV YORK.

BICYCLE=SADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 584,905, dated June a2, 1897.

A man m July 18,1896. Serial r0. 599,665. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ORRIN A. TOMPKINS, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Ran dolph, in the county of Oattaraugus and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Bicycle-Saddle, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to bicycle-saddles; and the object in view is to provide a saddle which will, form a comfortable seat for the rider of a foot-propelled vehicle, enabling said rider to sit squarely on the saddle, while having perfect control over the pedals, pressure at the same time being removed from theinside of the thighs and applied to the outside thereof. The saddle is also adjustable, so that it may be fitted with accuracy to any rider.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the ensuing description.

The invention consists in an improved saddle embodying certain novel features and details of construction, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle-saddle constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a section through the same.

Similar num erals of reference designate corresponding parts in both figures of the draw- 1ngs.

The improved saddle contemplated in this invention is constructed in the main of twin or similar springs 1, overlapping each other at their adjacent ends, as indicated at 2, and inserted from reverse sides through an opening 3 in the seat-post 4 or in a suitable clip detachably connected to the seat-post, the overlapping ends of the springs being held by means of a binding-screw 5. The outer or opposite ends of the springs 1 are provided with widened or expanded end flanges 6,upon which is placed the leather or webbing 7, forming the flexible body of the saddle. Arranged over each of the flanges 6 is a cushion or pad 8, having at its base a plate 9, secured to the flange 6 by means of set-screws or other suitable fasteners 10.

The ends of the saddle leather or webbing 7 are fitted between the flanges 6 and plates 9 and clamped between the same by tightening the fasteners 10, and this construction also provides for increasing or decreasing the width of the saddle to suit any particular rider. The cushions or pads 8 are intended to bear against the outside of the riders thighs and hips and assist to brace and hold him in position on the seat, while the leather or webbing 7 supports the riders weight.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the saddle is without a pommel, and the rider does not therefore have to sit astride of any part of the saddle. The pressure is entirely removed from the inside of the thighs and transferred to the outside thereof, thus forming a perfectly hygienic saddle and removing all pressure from the prostate gland. By giving more or less overlap to the contiguous ends of the springs 1 and correspondingly increasing or diminishing the length of the leather or webbing 7 the saddle may be accurately adjusted in width for the purpose stated.

The saddle may be readily adapted to any desired form of saddle post or clip, and it will be understood that said saddle is susceptible of changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction, which may be accordingly resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention,what is claimed as new is- 1. A bicycle -saddle comprising a bowed spring extending transversely of the machine, a flexible supporting-body attached to and supported by the spring, spaced side cushions extending longitudinally of the machine and removably supported on the flexible body and the spring to engage the outside of the thighs of the rider, and means to adjust the width of the seat and the space between the side cushions, substantially as described.

2. The herein-described saddle, comprising twin springs having their contiguous ends adjustably secured as described and having their outer ends widened to form flanges, spaced cushions having base-plates opposing said flanges, flexible webbing connecting the ends of said springs and having its ends inserted of the rider, and serving with the springs to clamp the flexible body in position, substantially as described.

4. A bicycle-saddle comprising twin springs arranged transversely of the machine and having their contiguous ends overlapped and fitted in an opening in the seat-post, a flexible supporting-body extending between and adjustably connected to the outer ends of the springs, and a clamping device to lock the overlapping ends of the springs together, the construction being such that the flexible body may first be secured to the outer ends of the springs to form the desired Width of seat and the tension of the body be afterward adjusted by adjusting the overlapping ends of the springs relatively to each other, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in 30 a the presence of two Witnesses.

ORRIN A. TOMPKINS.

Witnesses: I

Jon-N I,- GILBERDS, M. T. J ENKIN-s. 

